Why does this sound so familiar? (Aside from the fact that Team Reform has increased corporate taxes in Massachusetts each year that they've been in office to a degree that the Council on State Taxation has termed Romney an "alleged pro-business Republican." (source: Boston Globe, 3/26/2005))

The Dukakis administration, trying to balance next year's budget, is preparing a "corporate tax reform" package designed to stem the downturn in corporate excise revenues. One source in the Dukakis administration sharply objected to a description of the reform package as a set of tax increases, even though they are expected to boost revenues $25 million next year and $40 million the year after.

But critics of the administration said the governor is using semantics to disguise major tax increases.

"If some of the initiative and the creativity that is supposed to exist in the Dukakis administration were used to better manage our spending as opposed to finding new ways to tax people, I think we would be well served," said House Minority Leader Steven Pierce (R-Westfield)."

If Steven Pierce were alive today he'd be .... Excuse us? He is? Oh.

Back when Steven Pierce used to be noticed he warned that the Massachusetts Governor's "slipshod" budget process would become a presidential campaign issue. (source: Boston Globe, 7/17/2005)

"This is all a godsend for the Republican presidential candidates," he said.

Who knew that Pierce's statement toward a candidate from Massachusetts in 1988 could be applicable to a candidate from Massachusetts in 2008.

Hey Texas, last week Willard Mitt, who purports to be pro-business, filed a bill to increase corporate taxes in Massachusetts by $85 million dollars.

Hey Florida, last week Willard Mitt, who purports to be pro-business, filed a bill to increase corporate taxes in Massachusetts by $85 million dollars.